Colony freshman wins national literacy grant

Alicia Adams, a freshman at Colony High School, was one of 21 students from around the country to receive a Youth Leaders for Literacy Grant from the National Education Association.

Adams' project will teach moose safety to young children, through literature. An NEW and Youth Service of America panel selected her project based on youth leadership, originality, contribution to literacy and the potential impact on the community.

Adams, along with other Polar Bear 4-H Club members, are presenting a story hour with activities to young children in five Valley communities. The grant will be used to fund the project.

Door prizes, homemade moose cookies and fudge moose nuggets will be passed out at the end of the program.

"I hope that the kids enjoy our stories and learn some moose safety tips because I think that sometimes we forget how dangerous moose can be," she said.

The next story hour is on April 8 at 10:30 a.m. at the Palmer Public Library. On April 10 at 2 p.m., the program will be at the Willow Library, and the Sutton Library will get story hour on April 14 at 4 p.m.